Episode 30: The Surprising Reason Samurai Always Carried Two Swords

The tradition of carrying two swords began during mounted battles, but was later modified when samurai began fighting on foot, with the uchigatana and wakizashi becoming the primary swords. Finally, during the peaceful Edo period, it became law for samurai to carry these two swords when in public, with the wakizashi also used for close combat and carried even indoors.